I have been drawing Dutch Coasters since I was 10 years old...a long time ago (I am 67 now!!). On these posts you will find a variety of the type of vessels I get commissioned to draw, Fishing, Cargo, Lifeboats, and other craft. but I will start with my favourite ships , Dutch motorcoasters. Shown here in Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal. is M/V PLANCIUS. I hope you enjoy my work and thanks for having me on Kombuispraat........Regards John Baird Co. Donegal, Ireland.

Over the past 10 years Fishing vessels have made up the bulk of commissioned Artwork, Boats from Ireland ,Scotland, and U.K. being the most sought after subjects. Depicted here is the OCEAN PIONEER S.45 commissioned by her skipper/owner Niall Deasy .Union Hall, Co. Cork. All my drawings are A3 Size on heavy Artpaper.

On 20 April 1949, Amethyst was on her way from Shanghai to Nanking (now Nanjing) when she was fired upon by the People's Liberation Army, thus starting the Amethyst Incident. Amethyst was trapped in China until 30 July 1949.

For the 1957 film Yangtse Incident: The Story of HMS Amethyst, Amethyst was brought out of storage to play herself. As her engines were no longer operational, her sister ship, Magpie, was used for shots of the ship moving. Amethyst was scrapped shortly after the filming was finished